Palace sees no need to amend Constitution to draw investments

MANILA, Philippines - Malacanang maintained yesterday there was no need to amend the country’s Constitution at this time to attract foreign investments.

“We have a Constitution that we have to observe and the 60-40 (ownership provision) and we have to understand that it is always been there, the advocacy to amend the Constitution. We believe that there is no priority right now, there is no need to amend the Constitution and we stand by that position,” Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang.

Lacierda was asked about the complaints of foreign investors on the cancellation of contracts by the Philippine government that have already been awarded. Also, the 60-40 ownership provision of the Constitution hampers foreign investments from flowing into the country.

However, Lacierda defended the cancellation of several contracts noting that those projects sealed during the past leadership were found questionable by the present administration.

Lacierda also said the Aquino administration promised to even the business playing field for all players.

It will be recalled that President Aquino canceled the P18.5-billion Laguna de Bay dredging project awarded to a Belgian company following a thorough review by his economic managers. The President believes the project will not rehabilitate the lake despite the huge project cost.

The contract signed by the Arroyo leadership with the Belgian firm Baggerwerken Decloedt en Zoon (BDZ), is different from the Aquino administration’s public-private partnership projects.